After I’m exploring a resort, I wish to anticipate what I name my “aha!’ second, that view or run or expertise of some form that simply defines not simply the place, however the day. On a latest go to to Nice Mountain in Maine, I noticed that aha second is identical for all.
However let me begin originally. Within the winter of 1938, a gaggle of scholars, Civilian Conservation Corps members and different volunteers got down to create the right path to feed their ardour for snowboarding.
They labored all summer season and fall clearing simply the precise line down one among Bridgton, Maine’s most spectacular peaks: Nice Mountain.
That winter they skied it each day they may. Phrase obtained out. Three years later a rope tow was put in, and by 1957, a chairlift took skiers from far and close to up excessive to expertise the wonder these unique skiers sought. Nice Mountain earned its stripes.
Quick ahead to winter 2026. I’ve arrived at Nice Mountain noon on a crisp, sunny day, The bottom lodge is bustling and the lifts are spinning. Below bluebird skies on an ideal winter day, I understood utterly why these skiers labored so onerous to entry this peak manner again when.
From the beautiful greens to the steeper blues and blacks, Nice Mountain delivers. Nice isn’t a show-offy or braggy mountain; that’s why chances are you’ll not know that from its peak – and I say this as a fortunate skier who’s been nearly all over the place – you’ll soak in some of the breathtaking mountain views within the area.
With shiny Mount Washington as a centerpiece and the Presidential Vary sprawling out round it, you’ll be awestruck. No hyperbole there.
Nice is actually a mountain for everybody. There’s a brilliant mellow magic carpet the place learners are gaining their stripes. To the precise of which are some longer studying trails, spots the place you may heat up effectively or – if a learner – expertise the texture of getting up on the mountain in a completely skiable manner.
Throughout the entrance face of the mountain you’ll discover a path community that will look unassuming on a path map, however that skis so very enjoyable. Simply steep sufficient groomers have facet trails which are slender and winding; thick with bushes on both sides. You possibly can bob and weave to your coronary heart’s delight, and use the identical raise all you need whereas making every run really feel new.
Nice may be identified to you by a distinct title.
In 1988, it was bought to the Shawnee Mountain Firm and, as its web site says with a little bit of a wink, “in a burst of name synergy, was renamed ‘Shawnee Peak’ to create a connection” between the Maine mountain and the Pennsylvania firm. A reputation isn’t every little thing, course, and the mountain continued to draw ski loyalists and multi-generational ski households. They continued increase their snowmaking (which debuted after the depressing snowless winter of 1977).
In 2022, Shawnee was bought by Boyne Resorts. Anybody nervous about company takeover was put comfortable from day one. Boyne’s first act was to reclaim the title “Nice Mountain,” proof they have been devoted not simply to preserving however pumping up that model born in 1938.
They’ve delivered with investments like The Summit Categorical, the resort’s first high-speed quad that now makes lapping a ton of vertical a snap, and by bettering the mountain throughout the board.
At the present time, I can see it’s working. I arrive noon and whereas it’s not tremendous crowded, it’s busy. And but, each path I ski is well-covered and a delight to ski. My associates and I carve together with confidence, taking within the views and loving our speedy runs between.
Even the raise rides up are enjoyable. From the Pine Quad, we watch free skiers and snowboarders taking up the options on the resort’s spectacular park. From the Summit Categorical we now have a entrance row view of an enormous salmon race occurring that day. With the Olympics on each display within the lodge and at folks’s properties, we discovered our personal stay racing expertise.
The again facet of Nice affords extra steeps and problem, too. However my favourite run is one which’s all in regards to the timing – and that aha second: Since Nice is open for evening snowboarding, you may ski proper via the sundown there.
We head over to the aptly-named Sundown Boulevard, a cruiser that winds you round to first see the solar sinking behind the mountains after which, after a flip, the magnificent alpenglow throughout Mount Washington itself. It’s so fascinating, we lap it 3 times. I’m drawn to it like a drive of nature. It jogs my memory of sunsets in Costa Rica, the place everybody stops to soak it in every night. I can inform you with all sincerity that this run is a core reminiscence ski expertise.
There’s extra, too. As evening falls, the resort transitions to a teen hangout. They’re loud and glad and sure, they type of take over the place. As I ski beneath the lights and round them, relatively than assume “get off my garden,” I have a good time a spot the place children are lively, outside, social and better of all, barely taking a look at their screens. Full approval right here.
The pub is nice with stay music and even a beer brewed only for them. We dine and loosen up as the kids ski on outdoors. It had been many years since I’d skied Nice. It’s again on my common rotation. Put it on yours as effectively.
Nice Mountain an avalanche of enjoyable
The place: Nice Mountain is positioned in Bridgton, Maine, about two and a half hours from Boston and a few half hour from North Conway correct. Parking there may be plentiful, and hours run from 8:30 a.m. to eight p.m. every day, extending to 9 p.m. each Monday for his or her “Monday Insanity.”
What: Nice options 44 effectively maintained trails with prime to backside selections for each stage. You’ll discover a magic carpet in addition to six chairlifts, a decent-sized base lodge with leases, a ski store and extra.
There are ski faculty classes for each stage together with their “Small Fry Strive” program for youngsters ages 2-3, a uncommon providing for any ski resort. Little ones exit and spend 45 minutes getting a really feel for the game. There are additionally weekly seasonal applications.
As all the time, reserving tickets on-line forward of time is an effective selection.
The place to remain: Nice Mountain has plenty of slope facet condos that may be rented quick time period, in addition to just a few particular cabins scattered in non-public but accessible spots throughout the mountain. For a very particular keep, think about the Tuckerman’s Cabin (https://www.pleasantmountain.com/tuckermans-cabin) for a really feel prefer it’s your personal non-public ski resort.
The larger North Conway space is shut by too, a few half hour drive that’s simple and fairly. There you’ll find nearly any kind of lodging (https://www.visitmwv.com/) there may be.
Eating: The bottom lodge itself serves up nice basic base lodge meals, and upstairs you’ll discover Blizzard’s Pub with a crackling fire, stay leisure and nice meals. The flatbread is on level, and the reuben wowed this reuben connoisseur. You can too discover tons of eating in North Conway.
Further enjoyable: The resort’s occasion calendar is filled with enjoyable selections, like their slope facet pancake breakfast on Nationwide Pancake day (Feb. 28). You’ll additionally discover stay music, Monday Insanity and different enjoyable extras just like the annual mattress race day and Spring Fling.
